Selected Works Sculpted Space System 7
Mise-En-Scene Integrated Site 15
Twiststool Modular Seating 23
Urban Infill Authenticity 29
Craftsmanship Ski Build 37 Liftline Table 39
01 Sculpted Space
7
Sculpted Space
Previous Page: South Elevation rendering of Library at Ludlow, night. Previous Page: Parti elevation of the floor 3 fin system. Left: North elevation rendering, showcasing staircase. Left Below: Sculpting of space, as achieved by the fin system. Below: Full model of fin system. Right: Longitudinal Section looking east. Lowest floor is below grade, so entry sequence leads occupants to central core of library.
9
Sculpted Space
System One system, which infiltrates every aspect
layout.
This system of fins influences
The fins act as the secondary truss
of the building. Libraries today are too
every aspect of a library program, from
spanning system for each floor deck.
often plagued by inefficiency and a lack of
structural spans, to furniture and seating
The main circulation stair is also woven
ability to adapt for the future. This branch
as explored in the architectonic phases,
into a fin pack, furthering the occupants
of the Carnegie Library, located in the
to privacy and screening factors, to book
interaction with interstitial space.
Ludlow district, was engineered from the
shelving, to a sculpted canopy of space
interior outwards to resolve these issues,
to work under. The fins are worked up
the fin system as the primary driver for
through the floor plate to create seating
every aspect of the building. The fins were
and
derived from a series of section cuts taken
allowing users to inhabit the “canopy of
from an overall volume. By taking these
fins” that populates the ceiling above
“cuts” the system can organize space on
and the floor beneath. This manipulation
a sectional basis, allowing for glimpses of
of space is detailed in the section on the
interstitial space, and a flexible, adaptive
following page.
working
spaces,
consequently
Right Above: Occupying the fins as seating lounges. Right: Stair tower woven into fin system, which punches through all three stories.
11
Sculpted Space
02 Mise-En-Scene
15
Mise-En-Scene
Integrated Site Site
and
building,
designed
as
one
The forestry research proper began as an
requiring large public spaces flanked by
cohesive unit. Working within the infinite
exercise of site configuration, located in a
private residences.
possibilities of an open cell space frame
small clearing of the Mount Airy National
seamlessly integrated into a plan derived
structure, this forestry research center
Forest, Cincinnati Ohio.
from the very paths the glass dome
was conceived to be a natural extension
more than a grassy clearing and several
of the extensive site paving network
hiking trail heads as site cues, a network
surrounding it.
of path and earth works emerged to
The open web allows for a full field of glass
With nothing
These spaces were
navigates.
shape the site into a visually intriguing
roof over head, a canopy of sky to work
The images directly left represent early
destination. The building arc was a natural
under, and consequently incorporation of
studies on the possibilities of a space
configuration of the undulating landscape
trees and plant life inside. Here lies the
frame to achieve otherwise unbuildable
designed to populate the site.
final barrier to blurring the lines between
shapes.
These architectonic forms lend
exterior and interior.
themselves to a building that becomes
The research center called for both
integrated with land and ledge.
large and small scale program elements,
17
Mise-En-Scene
Left: Glass dome of the research center, as seen from above. A network of site paving and mounds flank the building, and inform its asymmetrical shape. Right Above: Cross section across the glass space frame. Right Below: Detail of the site paving network. Next Page: Longitudinal section through building. Note the seamless integration of landscape under the glass canopy. Next Page: 3 detail studies of space frame configurations.
Above: 4 built up section of site paving, as seen in the context of a larger site. This site model was milled from solid maple, and forested with copper trees.
19
Mise-En-Scene
Above: First floor plan, directly below the glass space frame. Left: Site plan diagram, showing section of paving, and building plaza. Below: Building parti study.
03 Twiststool
23
Twiststool
25
Twiststool
Modular Seating Formulated out of a partnership with
a complete stool.
The slotting panels
a local Cincinnati youth organization,
provide an incredibly rigid core; durability
Elementz, the twiststool is a versatile
being a primary concern.
seating element meant to reflect the vibrant energy of those who use it. The
Nested into the top are 5 mold-cast
stool was part of a metro-lab design build
expanding
collaboration.
Elementz centers around
provides a soft surface to sit on, while
urban art and hip-hop culture, with nightly
allowing for a dynamic upholstered top to
programs in dance, DJ, and graffiti art.
match the geometry of its armature.
Technically twiststool was refined to
Primary finish is a white wash, with one
a construction using only two panels.
corner accentuated in a flame char.
Panels were cut through a complex CNC
total of 9 chairs were constructed for
machining
Elementz.
job,
repeatability.
which
ensured
exact
Two panels slot together
and form a side, and four sides form
foam
panels.
foam
A
Twiststool was exhibited at
SOFA 2015, Chicago. Anna Kerr.
The
Design partner:
04 Urban Infill
29
Urban Infill
31
Urban Infill
Authenticity The complexities of urban infill are a
can generate. Mass demolition, riots, and
a very regimented street front, and by
nebulous region of architecture. The fact
changing demographics have all shaped
breaking down the mass of a larger
is, when it comes to the conditions of
the neighborhood into its current form,
program, the scale of a building can
new structure in historic neighborhoods,
the crucible for urban renewal.
respect its surroundings.
we just don't know. Renovating historic
The primary
curtain facade is glass, an undisputed
structures has developed paradigms of its
Multi-unit housing is a particularly apt
modernist material, but a secondary rain
own, but should new architecture mimic
program to import as urban infill. It offers
screen provides necessary shading and
its surroundings, or embrace the zietgiest
a cross roads to give street level space
privacy on a building wide scale. Cor-10
of its age.
back to the community, while invigorating
fins arc from open to close as the interior
urban growth.
program dictates.
Furthermore, as the
steel ages, it strikes at a balance between
Nested in the hills above downtown Cincinnati, Over the Rhine, "OTR," is one
Everything from the massing, to material,
a material that does not fake its age or
of the last in-tact Italianate districts in the
to proportions of this structure looks
time, yet refines to a texture respectful
US. There is a texture and character to
to address head on the architectural
of its neighbors, while never mimicking a
the buildings and brickwork that only time
complexities of urban infill.
movement before its time.
OTR has
Previous Page: Exterior facade fin system. Cor-10 steel as seen in the context of the OTR neighborhood. Right: Axonometric study of primary building circulation systems. Apartments featured "penthouse" elevator entry, eliminating the need for space inhibiting hallways. This system contributed to the functionality of such a narrow building bay, which respected the massing and scale of the neighborhood. Far Right: Bay model study of fin rain screen system.
05 Craftsmanship
99cm running length
166cm length
5mm camber
120mm tip
Ski Build Modern ski craft is based in a high level
The laminated strips are assembled into a
traditional graphics that are often applied
of precision, but is a fundamentally simple
core blank, which is then CNC routed to
by commercial companies.
concept of layering materials to build up
form the top and edge profile of the ski.
strength and flex.
Each core is layed up on a polyethylene
The
measurements
referenced
above
"p-tex" base surrounded by metal edge
describe how this ski is shaped, and
At the core, skis are comprised of several
banding. Alternating layers of epoxy and
ultimately affect it's performance in the
thin strips of wood, laminated together
fiberglass provide dimensional strength.
snow. Camber refers to the amount a ski
along the vertical edge. The core imparts
The assembly is then clamped into a press
bends off of the horizontal, and is created
different characteristics to the ski, based
to give the ski its final arched sectional
from the ski press. Running length refers
to the type of woods used.
shape.
to the distance between the two points at
For an
optimum balance of strength and flex, the
which the ski actually touches the ground.
core of this build uses alternating strips of
The top coat of this particular ski is made
The turn radius determines the tip/waist/
hard maple and ash.
from a thin wood veneer, instead of
tail dimensions noted above as well.
37
Craftsmanship
15.2m turn radius
75mm waist
105mm tail
39
Craftsmanship
Previous Page: Overall view of table. Hard maple live edge top, and hand forged steel base. Right: Shop drawings of for steel fabrication and opening detail. Left: Opening and fastener detail. Left Below: Forging the steel base. Below: Leather wrapping detail at steel base.
41
Craftsmanship
Liftline The Liftline table was designed as a
The table top is a 5/4 thick hard maple with
to the steel base, while still allowing for
critique to traditional coffee tables.
As
a lacquer finish. Great care was chosen
grain expansion.
the name implies, the steel base lifts the
to find a slab with the correct shape to
a press fit nut, embeded into the steel.
table off the floor; one sweep of metal
compliment the weighting necessary to
This same fastening detail also afixes the
replacing the commonplace expectation
achieve a cantilevered table top. To form
leather wrapping at the steel, providing a
of four legs.
The table is asthetically
the base, flat bar steel was waterjet cut to
soft finished edge to the base.
centered around asymmetrical balance,
its flat shape, allowing for a slight taper
showcasing a prominent cantilever at one
from 6� at the top to 8� at its base. With
end. A live edge slab of wood, wider at
use of an oxy-aceteline torch and bending
one end than the other, is a logical choice
jig, the steel was bent around various radii
for the table top, for both its contrast to
to achieve its its finished shape. Stainless
steel, as well as its natural counterweight
steel socket head cap screws provide
to the cantilever.
mechanical fastening of the live edge slab
They are received by
Contact (440) 212-2179 mr1993miller@gmail.com 10425 Rosalee Lane Strongsville, OH 44136